Disco | Boogie 358 Items

"Worthy re-issue of obscure Trouble in Side, which is a one-off studio project entirely written, sung and arranged by Luigi Della Ragione. "Zulu Rap" represented a surprising alternative to the typical Italo-Disco sound perceived in Naples and around in the early 80s. This little-known production has some interesting arrangements, mostly in the short version, where the drum work out raised below, reminiscent of "Love Hangover" by Diana Ross. Actually at that time the Dance Music Report, in its 'Import' column wrote that the "intro" of the 'Alcoholic Version' was reminiscent of Madonna's "Holiday". while the 'Chinese Version' was inspired by a song from the Tears For Fears. Some of this news may pique the curiosity of DJs and collectors and provide enough motivation for the current reissue which faithfully reproduces the three 1984 versions as well as the original noteworthy cover artwork. If that wasn't enough: the B side of the original record had an extra track not listed, with the hand drums on a slower and unrelated "Zulu Rap" drum beat which is around 120 BPM, while the drums of the bonus track is about 113 BPM. A little more inside info... the beautiful Maria Chiara Perugini (aka Clio) is part of the choir vocals. She was part of the Airport label for the recording of her first solo song "Eyes". A historical re-release"

The Emotional Rescue reissue series of Noel Williams aka King Sporty working with other artists and singers on the Konduko label's roster comes to completion with the deep funk disco of The Prolifics' Boy Child.

Formed in 1970 as part of "Senator" Nolan Jones' New Orleans soul and funk label Hep' Me Records, the bands early deep southern soul saw them release a series of 7"s for Hep' Me and Avco, plus an Xmas single for EMI and the minor hit A Place Called Home, recorded at the infamous Musle Shoals studios, backed by the Rhythm Section band who, from the early 60s, turned out hit after hit, from When A Man Loves A Women to Brown Sugar.

Landing on the newly inked Drive label, set up in '72 by Henry Stone as a sub label of his burgeoning T.K Records empire, their developing move in to funk saw them featured alongside Funky Nassau, Jimmy Castor and Peter Brown. It is here the connection with Noel Williams was formed. While putting together the "Konduko Six Pack" showcase album, the band were invited to the Miami Sound Studios for sessions that brought us both title cut Boy Child and the accompanying You Got Me.

All brass and claps, Boy Child is as funky as Williams got, backing the groups soul vocals, a story of first born's energetic path in life and a mothers love. The backing from Deep Rockers band bring the swing, the trippy keys and wide bottom end has made this a secret drop for many. You Got Me on the other hand is true King Sporty, a driving 9-minute disco boogie cut, where the warm harmonies lay down this uplifting, killer dance floor stop.

To close, the flip is again given over for reinterpretation, welcoming back Felix Dickinson to expertly cut, loop and dub. A special personal song for Dickinson, his subtle extension teases the intro for DJ play, before letting things fly - "the little show-off" as the song notes. With a near 30-year DJ and production career in place, his Discomix is a fitting way to complete this cycle of reissues of this benchmark label, for now.

Dark Entries presents a reissue of Shawn Pittman’s 1989 Dreams, an obscure and highly sought-after private press gem produced and written by Art Forest. An undersung figure in the development of the late 80’s Detroit techno sound, Forest collaborated with, produced, or penned material for many of the key players in the movement, including Inner City, Suburban Knight, and the Belleville Three themselves (on Kreem’s “Triangle of Love”). This reissue gives Forest’s own productions some shine while providing a thrill for both dancers and collectors. Dreams features two songs, both written and produced by Art Forest and featuring Shawn Pittman on vocals. The A-side contains two mixes of “Dreams”, a smooth R&B/modern soul number driven by Pittman’s vocal. While the song is undeniably radio-friendly, it contains some of the hallmarks of the Detroit techno sound – sparse arrangement, lush reverb, and booming bass. On the B-side, we are treated to two different versions of the clubbier “I’m Losing Control”. The original mix leans towards boogie/freestyle, with syncopated 909 beats and sassy synth vamps, and wouldn’t sound out of place next to Forest’s work with Inner City. The Extended-Bass-ment Club Mix strips things down and dubs them out, leaving us with shards of bass synth, brooding strings, and Pittman’s vocals eerily warped to the edge of recognition; a perfect late-night warehouse anthem.

Get ready to warp drive on the Disco Segreta spaceship ! This time we pay tribute to the overlooked work of italian musician Luciano Zanetti. Still relatively unknown to most, he was born in Lecco, where he graduated in violin and piano at the local Conservatorio, but then focused on acoustic and electric guitar, spending most of his life as a musician and teacher. The only recorded evidences ever published by Zanetti are incidentally just two disco-related 45s. The one presented here, “Volo Delta”, was a synth driven space disco track released in 1976 on Zanetti’s own private label Rot, before such niche subgenre found its way into disco productions. But we discovered that “Volo Delta” was just a part of a sort of “space suite” Zanetti had been working on: a wonderfully cinematic blend of downbeat electronica, chiptune, library music and mellow synth-work recorded in 1975, sounding way ahead of its time, perfectly rendering what was the concept of “future” and “space” back in the 1970s. The EP “Space” presents for the first time the original slightly extended version of “Volo Delta”, and three *previously unreleased* tracks: “Esplorazione”, “Incontri Ravvicinati” and “Verso Base Terra”. As usual with our extreme quality standards, all tracks are taken from the actual analog multitrack masters and respectfully remastered. Strictly limited edition on 180gr. audiophile vinyl.

Originally released by Lombardoni Publishing on 1986, this is probably one of the hidden gems from the label. ‘Indio’ contains all the elements of italo disco classic tune: Super energetic mood, male + female vocalist and different leads to complete a great tune.

A 12" that has been bubbling under the radar for a while is the ridiculously catchy "Beach Boy" by Vertical Lines. The vocal side is almost Stevie Wonder-like in its delivery with some great vocals by Barry Michael Cooper who carries the groove perfectly. Works well with both Disco and 'Yacht Rock' audiences alike.

The instrumental track is a prime slice of vintage 1982 drum-programming and a very early executive production from Tuff City owner, Aaron Fuchs. Recently featured in Dam-Funks sets, "Beach Boy" has been growing in popularity over the last couple of years and will fit into creative sets like a dream. Needs to be played Loud over a great system!

Kenny Lynch was a popular singer, songwriter, actor and all-round entertainer. A self-styled “black cockney”, Kenny was one of the few people of Caribbean origin prominent in the British entertainment industry during the ‘60s and ‘70s.

During his musical career, Kenny released a number of Top 10 singles, including a version of ‘Up on the Roof’ (1962), competing with the original by the Drifters. He composed and co-wrote songs recorded by Dusty Springfield, Cilla Black, the Drifters and the Everly Brothers. He also worked briefly as a songwriter at the Brill Building in New York.

Whilst probably best known as a prolific Pop Crooner during the earlier part of his acting and musical career, we must not forget his stomping disco success of the early eighties, released under British-borne Satril Records. “Half The Day’s Gone, and We Haven’t Earne’d a Penny” was a milestone moment for British Disco. Produced by Kenny himself at Satril Studios, London 1983, this record still encompasses that organic late-70s disco sound, with true instrumentation and minimalist electronic synth elements.

This is the album’s first ever repress since 1983 and has been remastered in high-definition from the original analogue tapes. Pressed on heavyweight 180g vinyl, this is one not to be missed. Limited to 500 copies only.

Sound Signature is proud to present a re-issue of the 7-inch single from Sundown titled "Spaced Outta Place". Composed by Amp Fiddler, Spaced Outta Place was originally released in 1981 on Parkside Records.

Swiss label Proxima is very pleased to present the reissue of italo disco classic "Love Me Too / The Dream" by Italian circus performer, singer and tv presenter Ambra Orfei. Originally released in 1986 on a 7inch, those two tracks are brought back to life for the first time on a 12inch record. No full description

Limited to 2800 copies.

Brian Bennett is one of instrumental music's true cult figures. Drummer for Cliff Richard & The Shadows, Bennett also is the composer of some of the most collectible production music albums ever made, and for over 40 years has been a sought-after composer for TV and film. But of all his projects, his 1978 release "Voyage (A Journey into Discoid Funk)" is probably his most beloved, a truly pioneering "space disco" recording inspired by Brian Eno but wielding a groove all its own. Despite its absolutely eye-popping Discogs stats, our release marks its first vinyl reissue outside of Australia, and its first-ever release on colored vinyl (blue with black swirl), complete with original gatefold jacket art.

Side ONE 1. Voyage 2. Solstice 3. Chain Reaction Side TWO 1. Pendulum Force 2. Air Quake 3. Ocean Glide

The much acclaimed city pop masterpiece with flavors of boogie-disco, funk and fusion and the soulful voice of Eri Ohno. Originally released in 1981 and repressed on vinyl for the very first time from the original master tapes.
Limited edition. Comes with insert.

An album deemed by many to be Chicago-native Cecil Lyde’s crowning achievement, Out Break was released in 1984 with his group Home Boy and the C.O.L. - the follow-up to 1982’s self-titled debut for the group. While many of Lyde’s earlier works redeem the charms of their lo-fi production qualities, the ambition of Out Break is plain to see as the band erupts into 8 minute opener “You Turn Me Out,” and deliver an 80s electro-funk record packed with hits. This album is a wholesome, luxurious listening experience, and reflective moments like the ballad “I Don’t Want To Be A Movie Star,” broadens the dynamic range by easing the pace and building tension via passionate vocal harmonies. P-vine is thrilled to be reissuing the album as a limited edition LP with an iconic Japanese obi strip attached.

Two years after his debut album Stone Free, Chicago-native Cecil Lyde followed up with a second album of mesmeric modern soul and boogie with his group Home Boy And The Col. Released in 1982, this album possesses the same jagged and electric playfulness of the original while developing a taste for electronic production - his flirtations of a digital kind fill the air in instrumental moments like the electro floor-filler “Time to Change”. Make no mistake though, Lyde’s rich vocals are the highlight on many of the tracks here, and kick into motion the timeless hits “I’ll Make It On My Own” and “Love Was The Cost”. P-vine is thrilled to be reissuing the album for a world first limited edition LP pressing with an iconic Japanese obi strip attached.

We Want To Play was the second and final album from North Carolina vocal and instrumental group Brief Encounter. First released in 1981 on the Californian label Music Town Records, their take on modern soul and boogie has been popular with rare record collectors from all over with their large nine-member group creating a wall of sound with powerful vocal harmonies. P-vine is excited to be reissuing the album under its Groove-Diggers imprint on limited 180g vinyl with an iconic Japanese obi strip.

NEW A rare sought-after LP of French proto-disco from Bernard Estardy (aka Estrak Lancios) alongside Jean-pierre Bourtayre. Composed during 1977, the time when space was the place and cosmic DJ Daniele Baldelli was rocking the world at Italian discotheques. Mystery colored vinyl

We’re proud to announce the re-issue of this obscure Hi-NRG banger by Bobby Orlando! Comes with an additional DJ cut by Vanzetti & Sacco. 'You can watch them making love on video'

A re-issue of this timeless italo ballad produced by Italian percussionist Massimo Pacciani. The song was recorded in 1984 in Marzio Bennelli’s studio in Florence with an Oberheim Ob-x, Yamaha DX7, Marzio on guitar and the great vocals of Riccardo Galardini. They took inspiration from Flashdancers – Maniac (an italo cover of Michael Sembello’s ‘Maniac’) which they recorded the same day in Bennelli’s studio. Remastered from original master tapes.

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“¡Soltad a Barrabás!” (Release Barrabás!) was the third album by the famous Spanish funk-rock band. Recorded in the US and originally released in 1974, housed in a shocking gatefold cover, this time the sound was 100% funk oriented and included big hits like “Hi-Jack”, covered by Herbie Mann. After reaching worldwide success with their previous two albums and a lenghty South America tour, Fernando Arbex went even further with Barrabás: he wanted to register their third album in the US. So he managed to book MGM studios in Hollywood and the band spent a month in L.A. Fernando encouraged all the other Barrabás members to write songs for the planned album. The result was a fantastic pro-sounding recording (thanks to the work of sound engineer Humberto Gatica), where the band nearly dropped their previous Latin influences to concentrate on funk and black music. “Hi-Jack” rocketed to number one in the Billboard and Black Music charts in the US and soon after Herbie Mann released his famous jazzy cover. The album also included other ace tracks like “Tell Me The Thing” - much in the vein of Chicago and Blood, Sweat & Tears, “Suzie Wong”, “Lady Love”...

Conjuring up flashes of the masterly mellow tones heard in Roy Ayers and Billy Wooten’s local jazz funk, P-VINE’s Rare Groove will revisit New Jersey, a series favourite location, for a joyous and unassuming record of vibraphone grooves and smooth Jazz. Taking Care of Business was originally released in 1980 and marked the debut for Ted Coleman, a musician whose craft extended beyond the box and took the reins of not only its production work, but also the fetching typography design on the cover jacket. In fact, Coleman’s careful architecture oversees all aspects of this release, and whether it’s his soothing voice breathing life into his graciously composed lyrics or skillful musings on his percussive instrument of choice, it’s a record built with the richest materials that has stood the test of time. Includes a Japanese obi strip.

We've got a bit of an obsession with Hozan Yamamoto here at Mr Bongo! A legend of Japanese jazz, he is rightly regarded as a true master and was recognised as a "living national treasure" by the Japanese government in 2002. Over five decades he pushed the genre into new directions, absorbing fusion, funk, spiritual jazz and many other sounds, resulting in a discography studded with gems of rare beauty. Exploring his back catalogue has taken us on an engrossing journey that now sees us reissuing another work from this ground-breaking musician.

Though not translating perfectly into English 'Akuma Ga Kitarite Fue Wo Fuku', (kitarite has not been a modern expression in Japanese) roughly means 'The Devil Comes Playing The Flute' / 'The Devil Is Coming While Blowing The Whistle' or 'Devils Flute’. It is the original soundtrack to Kôsei Saitô’s 1979 mystery and suspense movie, ‘Devil’s Flute’. The film is based on a story by the famous author, Seishi Yokomizo, and is centred around a much-loved fictional Japanese detective, Kosuke Kindaichi. A Japanese Sherlock Holmes that has been popular for generations.

Hozan Yamamoto was invited to compose the soundtrack directly by the producer of the film, Haruki Kadokawa. Mr Kadokawa also hired keyboard player and producer Yu Imai as assistant producer on the project, resulting in a stunning cosmic, breaks and beats-laden, funk, disco soundtrack extravaganza.

When it comes to the soundtrack and the technology of the time, Hozan Yamamoto and Yu Imai got inventive, tripped out, funked up, and experimented, creating a quirky soundtrack masterpiece that needed to be heard more outside of Japan. Differing from the more traditional Japanese music orientation of some of his other albums such as 'Beautiful Bamboo-Flute' (also released on Mr Bongo) the album showcases a number of genres, from lush atmospheric incidental music to disco and funk grooves, experimental nuggets, drum and flute workouts, to neo-classical and more.

A special record that showcases the further depths of this wonderful musician's talents.

On 'Boogie Down' Bubbha Thomas and The Lightmen lean away from the jazzier moods that they were best known for, towards a mid-tempo boogie/funk workout featuring wide open drum breaks, analog synths, fat claps and vibey backing vocals.

The original 45, released in 1980, now goes for silly money if you can find one, so we thought it would be nice to make it available again. Dedicated to the extensive musical and educational work of Bubbha, who passed away at the end of 2020.
Remastered from original master tapes, officially licensed from Now Again.